The Pittsburgh Pirates (64-73) and Chicago Cubs (71-67) play the middle game of a 3-game series on Tuesday. First pitch from Wrigley Field is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET. Let’s check out FanDuel Sportsbook’s odds around the Pirates vs Cubs Opportunities and place your best bets with our expert MLB tips and predictions.
Season series: Cubs lead 6-5
The Pirates lost a three-game series at home to the Cubs on August 26 and 28, when Chicago beat Pittsburgh 41-23 in a wild series. Pittsburgh rebounded nicely with a 5-3 win in the series opener at Wrigley Field on Monday, cashing in as a moderate underdog (+130) as the over (7.5) just came through.
The Cubs have lost a 6-game winning streak and scored fewer than 5 runs for only the second time in their last 11 games. The over is on a 10-1-1 run for Chicago and the total has been high in 3 straight games in the Friendly Confines.
Expected starters for Pirates at Cubs
RHP Paul Skenes against RHP
Skenes (8-2, 2.23 ERA) makes his 19th start. He has a WHIP of 0.95, 2.2 BB/9 and 11.2 K/9 in 109 IP.
- Last start: No decision, 5 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 5 H, 1 BB, 6 K in the 14-10 home loss to the Cubs last Wednesday
- 2024 Road Splits: 3-1, 1.66 ERA (43 1/3 IP, 8 ER), 0.78 WHIP, .168 opposing batting average (OBA), 9 BB, 62 K in 7 starts
- 2024/Career vs. Cubs: 1-0, 3.00 ERA (15 IP, 5 ER), 1 HR, 2 BB, 15 K in 3 starts
Hendricks (3-10, 6.75 ERA) makes his 20th start and 25th appearance. He has a 1.53 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 6.1 K/9 in 102 2/3 IP.
- Last start: No decision, 1 2/3 IP, 6 ER, 8 H (1 HR), 3 BB, 2 K in the 14-10 home win against the Pirates last Wednesday
- 2024 Home Splits: 1-5, 5.32 ERA (45 2/3 IP, 27 ER), 1.42 WHIP, .288 OBA, 22 BB, 36 K in 11 appearances (8 starts)
- Career against Pirates: 9-14, 4.09 ERA (171 2/3 IP, 78 ER), 1.30 WHIP, 6.7 K/9 in 32 starts
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Pirates vs Cubs odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; for a complete list visit the USA TODAY sports scores and betting odds hub. Odds last updated at 6:23 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pirates -132 (bet $132 to win $100) | Cubs +112 (bet $100 to win $112)
- Running Line (RL)/Against the Spread (ATS): Pirates -1.5 (+136) | Cubs +1.5 (-164)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7 (O: +100 | U: -122)
Tips and predictions for the Pirates at the Cubs
forecast
Pirates 6, Cubs 2
Money line
The PIRATES (-132) Skenes is probably owed a win. He took a 10-3 lead on Wednesday, but the bullpen completely collapsed. The collapse prompted Skenes’ girlfriend Livvy Dunne, the LSU gymnast, to take to social media to complain about manager Derek Shelton and, apparently, the bullpen as well.
While the Bucs probably won’t play particularly hard for them, they owe the rookie All-Star. While he’s been excellent, Pittsburgh is just 5-6 in his last 11 starts. The Bucs should have won against the Cubs last time. They’ll win here, especially against an atrocious Hendricks.
Running Line/Against the Spread
If you are a little more adventurous, play PIRATES -1.5 (+136) is the right way.
Although Pittsburgh has only 11 wins in 32 games since July 29, it has won by 2 or more runs 9 times, so if you’re hoping for the Bucs to win, you should also expect them to cover the run line.
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Over/Under
OVER 7 (-110) is the slim one, but go with a Half-unit game at best.
The over has been in top form for the Cubs lately, going 10-1-1 in his last 12 games, while Hendricks is 4-1 in his last 5 starts.
For Skenes, the over is surprisingly 2-0-1 in the rookie right-hander’s last three starts. And the over has averaged 7-3-1 in the last 11 games for the Pirates.
The wind should not be a problem as it will be blowing from right to left at a speed of 9-11 miles per hour, so we would call the situation at Wrigley Field neutral.
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